Punta Gorda Bridge Project in Santa Barbara Eastside Complete

After nearly two years in the works, major construction of the Punta Gorda Street Bridge Replacement and Sycamore Creek Channel Improvements Project is complete.

Punta Gorda Street is re-opened to pedestrian, bicycle and vehicle traffic. The MTD Bus Route 2 service was also restored to the area.

The construction contract was awarded by Santa Barbara City Council on May 21, 2013. Construction began in July 2013.

Funding for the project came mainly from a $2,662,525 grant from the California Department of Housing and Community Development that was awarded through the 2008 Disaster Recovery Initiative Program. Projects awarded through this program must benefit low and moderate income residents.

The project construction allowed for the widening of Lower Sycamore Creek as well as the replacement of the Punta Gorda Bridge. This serves as a solution to the extensive flooding the area has experienced throughout the years. The improvement increases flood flow capacity and reduces the probability of neighborhood flooding.

Project improvements also included a habitat restoration to the vegetation found along the creek, improved pedestrian facilities, a new MTD bus stop with lighting, and increased on-street parking.